The Eropean Digital Cinema Form A Byers Gide to Laser Projection AUTUMN 2018
Table of Contents Slides 2-5 Introdctory notes Slides 6-22 1: Technical Considerations Slides 23-31 2. Financial and lifetime considerations Slides 32-36 3. Safety and Training Slides 37-39 4. Warranties Slides 40-46 5. Qestions we can t answer Slides 47-48 6. Frther sorces of information Slide 49 7. Important note
Forward This Gide came abot from a srvey of EDCF members, which showed that there was some confsion srronding laser illminated projection. We have taken on the role of the Byer in this Gide, and members of UNIC very kindly pt forward their qestions abot laser and we then asked the for cinema projector manfactrers to answer them. We then groped the answers and smmarised their responses into clear and concise answers to qestions asked by the exhibitors. We then filled in a few gaps and tried to answer the nanswerable. Any errors and omissions are or falt and we wold rge yo to let s know of any as soon as possible. David Hancock and Matt Jahans
Who prodced this Gide Editors and Project leads: David Hancock (IHS Markit) and Matt Jahans (Harkness Screens) Contribtors: Tom Bert, Goran Stojmenovik Barco Brian Claypool Christie Dave Monk, John Graham - EDCF Mark Kendall - NEC Mark Clowes - Sony Gillame Branders UNIC
Thanks to The following companies and organisations have been closely associated with this project, and we thank them for their time and effort in helping s realise this gide. Barco Christie NEC Sony Harkness Screens UNIC
1. Technical considerations 1
1 What is laser projection? Lasers are light sorce components that convert electricity into light. For the cinema, this means Red, Green and Ble (RGB) light instead of sing lamp-based technology. RGB light is collected throgh a set of optics into a prism and throgh the lens. R, G and B are considered Primary (P) colors and projectors are made p of single, dal or modlar nits of each color. All laser projectors, whatever type we refer to, need R, G and B color althogh only RGB laser will se laser modles for R, G and B colors.
1 How many type of laser projector are there? There are three types of laser projection crrently in cinema: RGB Laser, which is split into 6P, 3P and less commonly 9P. The P refers to the nmber of primaries sed to generate colors (eg 3P ses 3 primaries, one for each color). Each Primary can comprise several lasers of different wavelengths, groped together to make the Primary. 6P contains two red, two green and two ble primaries to enable one set for each eye in 3D mode. Laser Phosphor: Uses 1 Ble laser Lightsorce for Ble and 1 Ble laser Lightsorce to excite a phosphor wheel to generate Red and Green. RB Laser: Uses 2 Ble Laser Lightsorces 1 for Ble, pls 1 to excite a phosphor wheel for Green- and a Red laser Lightsorce to separately generate Red. There is also RGB Laser Phosphor bt this is not crrently in cinema projectors.
How do laser projectors work? RGB 1 The light sorce contains separate red, green and ble lasers that are mixed and directed to the display devices. This is sometimes configred as directcopled laser (the laser modles are installed within the projector) or fibrecopled laser (where fibre-optic cables transmit the RGB laser light from external rack-monted modles). RGB laser is theoretically modlar, and if manfactrers spport it, higher brightness can be added with new modles.
How do laser projectors work? Laser phosphor 1 The light sorce ses one Ble laser Lightsorce for Ble and another Ble laser Lightsorce to excite a phosphor wheel which generates the Red and the Green.
How do laser projectors work? RB Laser 1 The light sorce ses one Ble laser Lightsorce for Ble and another Ble laser Lightsorce to excite a phosphor wheel which generates only the Green. An additional Red laser Lightsorce creates the Red.
1 Ways to acqire laser projection By the laser projector Retrofit laser is an option for pgrading existing lamp-based projectors enabling them to tilise a laser light sorce. There are two sorces for retrofit: OEM Retrofit some manfactrers offer their own pgrade Third party retrofit In this case, consider the warranty and potential Safety responsibility very careflly becase technical spport may become divided. DCI prodct compliance may also be compromised if the specific projector and modifications are not approved. Laser bank/farm It is theoretically possible for a single laser light sorce to spply mltiple projectors in the same site, althogh this has not yet made its way into cinemas.
Laser and 3D In many cases, existing active and passive 3D systems sed with lampbased projectors can also work with laser-illminated projectors. In addition to the above, RGB 6P projection can also offer its own version of 3D, sing color separation and non-disposable glasses. The advantage is that it gives high brightness 3D and almost no ghosting. The glasses sed for Dolby3D don t work when sing color separation based 6P laser 3D
1 Are laser projectors reliable? Broadly speaking, yes they are reliable As it is a relatively recent technology in cinema, no crrent installed cinema laser projectors have otlived their expected lifetime. Some manfactrers are prepared to offer significantly extended warranties as a measre of their confidence in their system s reliability. However, manfactrers have tested this technology in cinema conditions and have long experience of it in other non-cinema sectors so the technology is relatively well nderstood.
Can a cinema carry a spare laser sorce? 1 Most manfactrers state that spare laser light sorces are held in warehoses and can also be held on site in case of failre. However, these are expensive and an exhibitor may not want to carry a spare. The first signs of a laser failre wold normally be light loss rather than a complete failre which wold give the exhibitor time to react.
Laser speckle: what is it and what can I do abot it? 1 Laser speckle is an interference pattern which can affect all laser projectors, and to a different degree. It is more prononced on RGB projectors. This can case a sbjectively disrptive viewing experience for cinema goers. Under certain circmstances, speckle can also be present to a lesser degree when sing lamp-based projectors. Projector manfactrers mitigate these effects in different ways and to different degrees. This can be done within the projector and sometimes additionally by vibrating the screen. Speckle is also inflenced by the type of screen srface the image is projected on.
Do laser projectors reprodce colors like lamp-based technology? 1 Laser light gives the impression of more vibrant colors, which some consider is a color isse with laser. This is a perception cased by the way the hman eye receives colors. Providing the projector is correctly set-p the color readings will be the same as Xenon.
What type of screen do yo need with laser projectors? 1 The type of screen sitable for laser projection depends largely on the laser system to be installed. Typically, any white or silver screen type is sitable for laser phosphor projectors. Laser speckle mst be considered when sing laser-illminated projectors. In general, lower gain screens prodce less noticeable speckle. However, screen srfaces differ by manfactrer and some are more effective than others at mitigating speckle. As with all technology choices, try to see a relevant demo.
1 Does laser light damage lenses? Projector manfactrers have tested lenses and have fond no isses related to laser damaging lenses. Unlike Xenon, laser light does not contain any UV or IR light so it contribtes less to lens ageing.
Does DCP change with laser projectors? 1 The packaging reqirements of the DCP do not change. However, the image files do change and grades can be delivered to the lab with higher foot Lamberts, as wold be the case with any projector. Different versions may be spplied to sit the higher brightness capability of certain projectors. This has been done in the past to optimise the 3D presentation experience in each aditorim bt it does increase the nmber of versions reqired which is a cost consideration for the distribtor. The actal delivered mastering level will depend on the distribtor s reqests.
How can we prevent color from shifting once the laser diodes start to age? 1 Unlike Xenon, colors can shift as laser diodes age. Color shifting is prevented by monitoring and maintenance of the laser projector. Manfactrers have algorithms and sensors that detect color isses. Servicing and calibration shold sffice in most cases.
What are the technical concerns relating to Green laser? 1 Until recently, it had been technically difficlt and costly to achieve green light from a direct laser diode sorce at the power/brightness levels reqired by a cinema projector. As a workarond, manfactrers came p with Green laser freqency conversion modles. These tended to be blky, inefficient and expensive. They also often exhibited high levels of speckle. Sitable direct Green lasers now exist and are starting to be introdced. They are smaller, lower cost and more efficient.
2. Financial and lifetime considerations 2
2 What are the lifetime expectations This varies according to the laser type and initial brightness of the projector. It also depends on the point at which yo wish to replace the laser. For all laser projectors, manfactrers state that the lifetime is p to 30,000 hors, dependent on model and technology. Please check with yor manfactrer, as this is evolving. The standard manfactrer warranty is typically in line with this.
What abot savings on electricity and energy? 2 There are savings to be made on electricity sage and efficiency for laser projection. However, how mch of a saving depends on a nmber of factors, inclding projector model, cooling system reqired, the type of laser projection system. The sitation is also changing qickly as projectors become more efficient eg direct Green lasers. It is worth speaking to the manfactrer or dealer at the time of prchase.
How do laser projectors impact the booth ventilation and AC systems? 2 There is an impact on booth ventilation and Air Conditioning systems. In most cases, switching from lamp to laser allows for either booth exhast recycling or fll extraction ot of the booth throgh the ceiling. In both cases significant HVAC and electricity savings can typically be made. In some cases, the efficiency of the laser projector over the lamp projector it replaces is that mch higher it's possible to completely remove the exhast. This saves a lot of electrical power for moving and managing the air as well as improving the spatial flexibility of the booth and cinema.
2 Any other benefits? Laser illminated projectors do not reqire lamps to be changed reglarly, which is a considerable operational and health and safety benefit.
2 What if I am smaller cinema? Some smaller cinemas are concerned that they will not be able to afford laser projection if they screen significantly fewer hors a week, and therefore have redced capacity to pay back the cost of a laser system. There can be a break-even point where payback is positive even for smaller aditoria. There is a wide variation in the pricing of different laser systems, bt the relevant calclation now is not the immediate cost of the projector bt the Total Cost of Ownership over its lifetime.
Does the light otpt of laser projectors degrade over time? 2 Yes, it does, in two distinct ways. Over the seable life of the laser projector, the lasers do also degrade. Manfactrers sally factor this in at the cstomer consltation stage by bilding in a sitable headroom to allow for light loss. The operational life of lasers may vary depending on temperatre. Systems shold be operated within the manfactrer s gidelines for temperatre. Optics of a projector degrade over time bt not in same way as xenon (better than Xenon).
Will laser projection mean a higher foot lambert grade for 3D? 2 With high lmen otpt laser projectors, it is possible to project at higher 3D light levels. However, even if brighter 3D levels are possible, most DCPs are mastered at between 3.5 to 5.5 fl. In sch cases, projecting 3D at higher levels will affect the color reprodction and contrast and cold increase 3D ghosting in polarized systems. In addition, even if a higher brightness DCP is needed, the relevant version from the distribtor may not be available. However, as high lmen projectors become more common, it is likely that higher grade DCPs will become more commonplace and help 3D to become brighter and retain qality levels.
Can yo replace a laser sorce at end of life? 2 Yes, it is possible to replace a laser light sorce once it ceases to be viable. However, the light sorce may otlast the projector where laser is sed as a light sorce.
3. Safety and Training 3
3 What are the risks of laser projection Laser Projectors are rapidly becoming the pre-eminent technology of choice as sers search for higher brightness, lower rnning costs and higher performance for all shows. Initial concerns abot laser safety have been managed within designs to mitigate risks for both technicians and adiences. It s worth remembering that lamp-based projectors are not risk-free and also need specialist training and care. The same is tre for laser illminated systems. Make sre instrctions are read and followed careflly. Lasers deserve appropriate care which varies with model and brightness level. It s wise to ensre that the adiences don t stare directly into bright lights of any kind to protect the retina of the eye. Specific measres will be advised by manfactrers and installers to ensre sers and adiences get the best possible and safe experience to enjoy movies.
3 Who can work on laser projectors? Most projector manfactrers advise that the person operating the projector needs to have a minimm reqired level of laser and projection training e.g. factory-based training programmes. Please check with yor manfactrer or integrator and adhere to the local company health and safety policy.
3 Maintenance Apart from the specifics of the light sorce, which is the only real difference, laser projectors are treated the same as a lamp-based projector and a sitable maintenance regime is as important.
Lamp-based projectors have risks too Xenon lamps are not risk free when it comes to lamps that can explode when mishandled. Xenon lamps can also emit dangeros levels of UV if the projector is not properly maintained. While normal screen viewing is not harmfl, looking directly into a lamp (Xenon and Mercry) light sorce will damage eyesight.
4. Warranties 4
What is the standard warranty and is light otpt over time covered? 4 The standard warranty for laser projectors is two or three years, depending on the manfactrer. There is no difference between the standard warranty period for RGB Laser and Laser Phosphor. The manfactrers do also offer extended warranties for a greater cost. Crrently, extended warranties are between 6 and 10 years, depending on the type of projector and the manfactrer in qestion. Light otpt over time can be garanteed. This varies by manfactrer and projector type.
4 Does the warranty carry stiplations regarding the ambient temperatre of the projection room? Yes, there are stiplations on temperatres within the projection room. This has always been the case, inclding where lamps are sed as a light sorce. Manfactrers have varying stiplations and these typically range between 25 and 35 degrees Celsis. Typically, this is monitored sing log files and remote monitoring.
5. Qestions we can t answer 5
5 5. Qestions we can t answer Q: Does laser look better than Xenon? Laser-illminated projectors now come in many shapes and sizes, and the image differs accordingly. Laser can look better than Xenon bt doesn t necessarily. Q: Do cstomers really notice the difference between laser and xenon illmination? This is very sbjective, and almost nanswerable, bt it s certainly not a clear tangible difference sch as between a 2D presentation and 3D presentation.
5 5. Qestions we can t answer Q: Are laser projectors worth the increased cost? There is now a wide range of laser illminated projection available. These machines are not always necessarily more expensive than their digital eqivalents, especially in the case of laser phosphor. The cost of RGB laser machines is also on the way down. An exhibitor needs to look at the screen by screen reqirements within their estate, and jdge whether the cost differential, if it exists, is worth the extra performance. Ultimately, each screen offers a different bsiness case.
5 5. Qestions we can t answer Q: Will laser projection revive interest in 3D de to greater brightness capabilities? The standard of 14fL is a long way off for most 3D images. As an indstry, we have accepted this lower brightness as a way to get 3D ot there bt one of the isses with 3D has been brightness of the image once it gets to the cstomer s eye. High lmen laser illmination will address this isse in part or fll by adding brightness to the image, bt brightness is not the only isse that people have with 3D. Laser cannot address all the isses, sch as qality and spply of content and the need to wear glasses. Therefore, it is hard to say whether laser illmination alone will be able to revive 3D.
5 5. Qestions we can t answer Q: Will LED spersede laser illminated projection? It is too early to tell when and whether LED screens will replace projectors in cinema aditorims. We shold not assme they will jst becase they are in the market, and by the same token we sholdn t assme they won t becase they are not the way Cinema is done. The nmber of LED screens installed is still very low, and the technology is still being tested by exhibitors and technology companies alike. Any market conversion to LED will necessarily take time, maybe a decade given the installed base of projectors.
5 5. Qestions we can t answer Q: How do we explain the vale of laser projection to consmers? This slide deck is mainly concerned with explaining the basics of laserillminated projection, not with the marketing of this technology. However, we can note that a small nmber of pioneer exhibitors have chosen to talk p laser, bilding a brand arond it.
5 5. Qestions we can t answer Q: Is phosphor laser a real long term alternative to RGB? Laser phosphor has been installed in the thosands of nits, over 10,000 at last cont. Many of these are in China. It is more of a workhorse technology than RGB laser, relatively cheap and replacing Xenon-based machines in small to medim sized aditoria. As RGB laser comes down in price, the need for a laser-phosphor alternative may become redced bt the nmbers already in the market cold also sggest that it is a technology that has enogh distinct difference from RGB laser and traditional Xenon and mercry-based illmination to warrant its contined existence.
6 6. Frther sorces of information For more information, inclding from manfactrers, here are some sefl links: https://www.lipainfo.org/ http://www.lamptolaser.com/ https://www.barco.com/en/abotbarco/corporate%20sstainability/com pliance/weee https://www.barco.com/en/spport/training/barco-high-brightness-safetytraining.aspx
7. Important Note There are many permtations of laser projectors, 3D systems, screen types and aditoria and we have not attempted to break down what works best with what. For this reason, it is very important for a cinema exhibitor to test all technology into which they are investing in the appropriate screen and nder as realistic conditions as possible.